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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are dermal fillers?

    Related Topic
    Cosmetic Medicine
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    Dr Naomi McCullum

    Cosmetic Physician

    My cosmetic clinic is known for providing natural results, we specialise in dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections and laser.I enjoy making patients happy by improving their … View Profile

    I have been reported to TGA for answering this question, so I'm sorry, I had to delete my answer

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    Dr Ehsan Jadoon

    Cosmetic Physician

    I agree with Dr Naomi McCullum. In Australia, we can broadly divide Dermal fillers into 2 groups:

    1) Volume enhancing FIller : Hyaluronic Acid fillers

    2) Biostimulatory (Collagen stimulating ) Fillers: Poly L Lactic Acid

    ( There is a third group that claims to be able to do both above jobs in one go and is calcium hydroxylapatite based)


    Volume Enhancing H.A fillers are the most commonly used fillers in Australia with excellent track record.

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    Dr Jillian Tomlinson

    Hand Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon

    Dr Jill Tomlinson is a fully qualified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon. After graduating dux in her year at University High School, Jill completed medical … View Profile

    “Dermal fillers” is a term that refers to a variety of products that are injected into the skin or subcutaneous tissues to enhance the appearance.

    The majority of dermal fillers used are temporary, in that they last for 4-18 months. The synthetic products used include hyaluronic gels and calcium hydroxylapatite. Your own fat cells can also be used for volume enhancement, although the latter is not an office-based procedure.

    There are a variety of different “off-the-shelf” dermal filler formulations available. I recommend a different type for lip enhancement than I do for correcting deep wrinkles. An experienced doctor will be able to tell you why they recommend a particular type of dermal filler for the area that you are seeking to have treated.

    Dermal fillers come in a pre-packaged syringe and the cost of treatment will increase according to the number of syringes that are used. More detailed information about dermal fillers is available at my website.

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  • Dr John Mahony

    Cosmetic Physician

    Dr John Mahony studied Medicine at Sydney University 1980-1984 graduating early 1985. Internship and residency years followed in the Illawarra, covering general medical and surgical … View Profile

    Hard to improve on the answers given by Naomi, Ehsan and Jillian.

    But here goes….

    Fillers are, en fin, the safest and easiest way to reproduce the facial contours of youth in someone not still so youthful.

    They almost painless to inject, due to (most) having a bit of anaesthetic in their mix.

    They are sometimes over-done, sometimes under-done, but can be built up slowly, thus avoiding the regret of excessive treatment (as opposed to permanent implants).

    The hyaluronan ones can be dissolved if you don't like the effect. Turn on, turn off.

    They are tools of an evolving art form: “trout pout”s are now rare, and *guaranteed* we all know people who have had fillers that we cannot detect, who just look better whilst looking perfectly themselves.

    Hope this helps

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  • Dr Christina Tan

    Medical Practitioner

    Look Your Best Without Surgery. Melbourne Cosmetic Medicine is a dedicated cosmetic medical clinic, specialising in non-surgical cosmetic enhancement using the most popular Anti-Wrinkle Injections, … View Profile

    Dermal fillers are prescription medications injected into the skin by doctors to restore volume loss from ageing or accidents, or enhance an area that has sub-optimal fullness. The goal of treatment is to create a harmonious face that looks more youthful and very natural. Dermal fillers are most commonly injected into the lower face to complement anti-wrinkle injections that treat dynamic lines in the upper face.

    The most popular and safest dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid (eg. Restylane and Juvederm) which is also found naturally in our bodies. Results although temporary (4-18 months) tend to improve and last longer with progressive treatments as these fillers stimulate neo-collagensis, ie. the body producing more of it's own natural collagen. In the case of unexpected complications like persistent swellings, these fillers can be dissolved selectively with injected hyaluronidase. These fillers also contain a local anaesthetic called Lidocaine which decreases the pain of injections.

    For patients who find repeated injections with temporary hyaluronic acid dermal fillers inconvenient, there is a semi-permanent group of bio-stimulatory fillers like Sculptra or Radiesse that can last up to 2 years. Due to the particle nature of these fillers, there are limitations in treating sensitive areas like the lips, nose and tear troughs.

    The only permanent filler available locally is Aquamid. Silicon injections are illegal in Australia. Permanent fillers are generally not recommended as any complications that develop are likely to be permanent as well, necessitating surgical removal of the fillers. As our facial contours changes with time, the areas treated with permanent fillers may look less natural as we age.

    For patients with significant facial volume loss who may need multiple syringes of dermal fillers, it is advisable to break the treatment down into several stages. This allows the treating doctor to reassess your face after the initial swelling and bruising has settled, to correct any asymmetry and persisting volume loss to achieve the best possible results. It also minimises the risk of over-filling which creates the very un-natural ‘pillow face’ look.

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